A Tesla driver was charged for sitting in his passenger seat with the car on autopilot. (Herts Police)A Tesla driver was charged for sitting in his passenger seat with the car on autopilot. (Herts Police)

(Newser)
–
A UK man has been banned from driving after he pleaded guilty to switching from the driver's seat to the passenger seat of his vehicle as it traveled down a highway at 40mph. Per the BBC, Bhavesh Patel was behind the wheel of his Tesla on England's M1 motorway when he pulled the stunt, which someone in another car recorded on video. The witness reportedly posted the video to social media before police got wind of it.

Patel, 39, pleaded guilty in St. Albans Crown Court to dangerous driving and was sentenced to an 18-month license suspension and 100 hours community service. Bhavesh reportedly told the court that he was simply the "unlucky one" who got caught. Per the Telegraph, Tesla said in a statement to the court that it recommends drivers using its autopilot feature remain "fully attentive" and at the wheel ready to slow down the car as they watch the road for obstacles.

Tesla should just rename their autopilot to highly advanced driver's assistance because this confusion is repeatedly getting people into trouble

les

Apr 30, 2018 3:02 AM CDT

Humans sometimes do illegal stuff, J-walking got this woman killed in Arizona with a Autopilot Uber /Volvo Suv and a distracted Driver behind the wheel.. He was in the drivers seat..but looking away from the road.. The car didn't seem to have that city safe radar that is supposed to make Volvo's stop ... h,mmm I smell serious lawsuit here..

les

Apr 30, 2018 2:52 AM CDT

The UK sure has a Lot of Street Cameras if they can pick out this type of Activity... I thought China was the Big Brother state.. lol